Concentrations and seasonal dynamics of dissolved organic carbon in forest floors of two plantations （Castanopsis kawakamii and Cunninghamia lanceolata） in subtropical China

The concentrations and seasonal dynamics of DOC in forest floors of monoculture plantations ofCastanopsis kawakamii and Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) were assessed in Sanming, Fujian, China (26°11′30″N, 117°26′00″E). Forest floor samples were taken in January, April, July and October in 2002 and divided into undecomposed material (horizon Oi), partially decomposed organic material (horizon Oe), and fully decomposed organic material (horizon Oa). Upon collection, DOC concentrations of samples were analyzed by a High Temperature TOC. The results showed that the annual average DOC concentration of Chinese fir (1341.7 mg·kg⁻¹) in the forest floor was higher than that ofCastanopsis kawakamii (1178.9 mg·kg⁻¹). Difference in DOC concentrations was observed among three horizons of the forest floor. DOC concentration of forest floor in the two forests was the highest in horizon Oe. Seasonal trends of DOC concentrations in different horizons of forest floors were similar and the maximal value occurred in autumn (or winter). The concentration and temporal change of DOC in studied forests were probably related to the variation in moisture, temperature, biological activity and quantity of organic matter in the forest floor. Foundation item: This study was supported by the Teaching and Research Award program for MOE P.R.C. (TRAPOYT) Biography: ZHANG Jiang-shan (1946-), male, Researcher in Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350007, P.R. China. Responsible editor: Zhu Hong     

Concentrations and fluxes of dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen in a Picea abies chronosequence on former arable land in Sweden

Shifting land use from agriculture to forestry induces major changes in the carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycles, including fluxes of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nitrogen (DON). This study investigated the long-term effects of afforestation on ecosystem DOC and DON dynamics using a chronosequence approach comprising four arable fields and nine differently aged (10–92 years) Norway spruce stands growing on similar former arable soils in the same area. Along the chronosequence, concentrations and fluxes of DOC and DON were determined in bulk precipitation, throughfall, O horizon leachate and mineral soil solution during a 2–3-year period. Soil water fluxes were calculated using a soil hydrological model (SWAP). Results showed that DOC concentrations and fluxes with throughfall were strongly positively correlated with tree height (r² = 0.95; P < 0.05 for both conc. and flux) and stand age, while DON showed no such trends, suggesting different origins of DOC and DON in throughfall. The highest concentrations and fluxes of DOC and DON occurred in soil leachate from the O horizon. Here, DOC flux was 250–310 kg C ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ and DON flux 8–9 kg N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ in stands afforested between 65 and 92 years ago. Concentrations and fluxes of DOC and DON in the mineral subsoil were consistently low. Flux calculations suggest that there was a net loss of >90% (230–280 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹) of DOC leached from the O horizon within 0–60 cm of the mineral soil. There was no significant effect of land use or forest age on DOC concentrations in solution from the lower part of the A horizon. The effect of time since afforestation was masked by soil properties that influence DOM retention in the mineral soil. Our data indicate that DOC concentrations in the A horizon of the sites studied were primarily related to the oxalate-extractable Al and Fe amounts in the same horizon. Afforestation of arable land induced a gradual qualitative change in soil organic matter (SOM) and dissolved organic matter (DOM), with significantly increasing C:N ratios in soil and soil solution over time. The development of an O horizon and the subsequent leaching of DOC and DON to the underlying mineral soil are important drivers of a changing soil C and N turnover following afforestation.     

Embryo culture and rapid propagation of Syringa

Embryo of lilacs (Syringa L) culture in vitro and the rapid propagation were studied. The orthogonal experiments, including the selection of basal medium, embryo age and other factors such as sugar, benzyladenine (BA), naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and glutamine (Gln), were carried out. The results indicated that the optimal medium for embryo culture was Monnier medium supplemented with NAA (0.001 mg.L^-1), BA (0.1 mg.L^-1), sugar (50 g.L^-1), and Gin (400 mg.L^-1), with a germination rate of 91.7% at least; the optimal embryo age was 50 d; and Gln had significant effects on the germination rate of embryo.Moreover, the optimal medium for subculture was MS BA (2 mg.L^-1) NAA (0.001 mg.L^-1) Gln (0.5 mg.L^-1), with the propagation coefficient of 3.6 at least.     

Effects of elevated CO2 concentrations on photosynthesis, dark respiration and RuBPcase activity of three species seedlings in Changbai Mountain

Two-year-old seedlings ofPinus koraiensis, Pinus sylvestriformis andFraxinus mandshurica were treated in open-top chambers with elevated CO₂ concentrations (700 μL·L⁻¹, 500 μL·L⁻¹) and ambient CO₂ concentrations (350 μL·L⁻¹) in Changbai Mountain from June to Sept. in 1999 and 2001. The net photosynthetic rate, dark respiration rate, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxlase (RuBPcase) activity, and chlorophyll content were analyzed. The results indicated the RuBPcase activity of the three species seedlings increased at elevated CO₂ concentrations. The elevated CO₂ concentrations stimulated the net photosynthetic rates of three tree species exceptP. sylvestriformis grown under 500 μL·L⁻¹ CO₂ concentration. The dark respiration rates ofP. koraiensis andP. sylvestriformis increased under concentration of 700 μL·L⁻¹ CO₂, out that ofF. mandshurica decreased under both concentrations 700 μL·L⁻¹ and 500 μL·L⁻¹ CO₂. The seedlings ofF. mandshurica decreased in chlorophyll contents at elevated CO₂ concentrations. Foundation item: This paper was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 30070158). Knowledge Innovation Item of Chinese Academy of Sciences (KZCX2-406) and “Hundred Scientists” Project of Chinese Academy of Sciences. Biography: Zhou Yu-mei (1973-) Ph. Doctor, Assistant Research fellow Institute of Applied Ecology. Chinese Academy of Sciences. Shenyang 110016. P.R. China. Responsible editor: Song Funan     

Transfer characteristics of nutrient elements through hydrological process of a Pinus tabulaeformis stand in the West Mountain of Beijing

Forest precipitation chemistry is a major issue in forest hydrology and forest ecology. Chemical contents in precipitation change significantly when different kinds of external chemical materials are added, removed, translocated and transformed to or in the forest ecosystem along with precipitation. The chemistry of precipitation was monitored and analyzed in a 31-year-old Pinus tabulaeformis forest in the West Mountain of Beijing. Movement patterns of nutrient elements in hydrological processes can be discovered by studying this monitored data. Also, the information is useful for diagnosing the function of ecosystems and evaluating the impact of the environment on the ecosystem. Samples of rainfall, throughfall and stemflow were collected on the site. In the lab, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ were analyzed by flame atomic absorption and K⁺ and Na⁺ by flame emission. NH₄ ⁺-N was analyzed by indophenol blue colorimetry and NO₃ ⁻-N was analyzed by phenoldisulfonic acid colorimetry. The results showed that: 1) The concentration gradient of nutrient elements clearly changed except for Na⁺. The nutrients in stemflow were significantly higher than those of throughfall and rainfall as the precipitation passed through the P. tabulaeformis forest. The monthly patterns showed distinct differentiation. There are indications that a large amount of nutrients was leached from the canopy, which is a critical function of intra-ecosystem nutrient cycling to improve the efficiency of nutrient use. 2) The concentrations of NO₃ ⁻-N and K⁺ changed more than those of the other nutrient elements. The concentration of NO₃ ⁻-N in throughfall and stemflow was 4.4 times and 9.9 times higher than those in rainfall, respectively. The concentration of K⁺ in throughfall and stemflow was 4.1 times and 8.1 times higher than those in rainfall, respectively. 3) The leaching of nutrient elements from the stand was an important aspect of nutrient return to the P. tabulaeformis forest, which returned a total amount of nutrient of 54.1 kg/hm², with the contribution of Ca²⁺ and K⁺ much greater than that of other elements. Also, K⁺ was the most active element in leaching intensity. 4) Nutrient input through precipitation was the main source in the West Mountain of Beijing and the amount of nutrient added was 66.4 kg/hm², of which Ca²⁺ and N contributed much more than the other nutrient elements. When precipitation passes through the P. tabulaeformis forest, 121 kg/hm² of nutrient is added to the forest floor. Ca²⁺ recorded the greatest nutrient increase, with 61.2 kg/hm², followed by N (NH₄ ⁺-N and NO₃ ⁻-N), K⁺ and Mg²⁺, with 31.3 and 16.5, and 8.11 kg/hm², respectively. The least was Na⁺, 3.34 kg/hm². Translated from Acta Ecologica Sinica, 2006, 26(7): 2,101–2,107 [译自: 生态学报]     

Overstory vegetation influence nitrogen and dissolved organic carbon flux from the atmosphere to the forest floor: Boreal Plain,Canada

Nitrate, ammonium, total dissolved nitrogen (TDN), dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations and flux were measured for one year in bulk deposition and throughfall from three stand types (upland deciduous, upland conifer and wetland conifer) on the Boreal Plain, Canada. Annual (November 2006 to October 2007 water year) flux rates in bulk deposition were 80, 216, 114 and 410 mg N m⁻² for nitrate, ammonium, DON and TDN, respectively, and 3.5 g C m⁻² for DOC. The nitrate and ammonium flux in throughfall were approximately 50% of the flux in bulk deposition, while TDN flux in throughfall was 60–74% of the flux in bulk deposition. The DOC flux in throughfall was approximately 2 times greater than DOC flux in bulk deposition, while there was no detectable difference in DON flux. The forest canopy generally had the most impact on throughfall chemistry during the active growing season as compared with the dormant season, although DOC concentrations in throughfall of deciduous stands was highest during autumn. For the upland stands, TDN flow-weighted mean concentrations in the snowpack were not detectably different from the concentrations in throughfall and bulk deposition throughout the rest of the year. However, ammonium concentrations were lower and DON concentrations were higher in the snowpack than in either throughfall or bulk deposition for the other seasons, suggesting some transformation of ammonium to DON within the snowpack.     

外源糖溶液和高浓度CO2处理对白桦叶片糖和蛋白质含量的影响

3年生白桦同时接受3种外源糖溶液(蔗糖、果糖、葡萄糖)和3种高浓度CO2(700、1400、2100μL·μL-1CO2)处理.处理1个月后,测定了叶片的总糖、蔗糖、果糖和蛋白质含量.结果表明:在700μL·L-1和1400μL·L-1 CO2下,外源糖溶液增加了叶片的可溶性糖和蛋白质含量,其中外源蔗糖的效果最好:外源糖溶液与2100μL·L-1CO2结合,会抑制叶片积累总糖和蛋白质:在700μL·L-1和1400μL·L-1CO2下,喷施葡萄糖、果糖的叶片在蛋白质含量上没有明显差别:同700、1400μL·L-1CO2相比,除喷施果糖植株外,2100μL·L-1 CO2明显增加了叶片的总糖、蔗糖、果糖和蛋白质含量:在喷施同种外源糖溶液的情况下,叶片的糖含量与CO2浓度呈正相关性.图6参7.     

Ecophysiological responses and carbon distribution ofPinus koraiensis seedlings to elevated carbon dioxide

The net CO₂ assimilation rate, stomatal conductance, RuBPcase (ribulose 1,5-biphosphate carboxylose) activity, dry weight of aboveground and belowgroud part, plant height, the length and diameter of taproot ofPinus koraiensis seedlings were measured and analyzed after six-week exposure to elevated CO₂ in an open-top chamber in Changbai Mountain of China from May to Oct. 1999. Seedlings were planted in four different conditions: on an open site, control chamber, 500 μL·L⁻¹ and 700 μL·L⁻¹ CO₂ chambers. The results showed that the total biomass of the seedlings increased whereas stomatal conductance decreased. The physiological responses and growth to 500 μL·L⁻¹ and 700 μL·L⁻¹ CO₂ varied greatly. The acclimation of photosynthesis was downward to 700 μL·L⁻¹ CO₂ but upward to 500 μL·L⁻¹ CO₂. The RuBPcase activity, chlorophyll and soluble sugar contents of the seedlings grown at 500 μL·L⁻¹ CO₂ were higher than that at 700 μL·L⁻¹ CO₂. The concentration 500 μL·L⁻¹ CO₂ enhanced the growth of aboveground part whereas 700 μL·L⁻¹ CO₂ allocated more carbon to belowground part. Elevated CO₂ changed the carbon distribution pattern. The ecophysiological responses were significantly different between plants grown under 500 μL·L⁻¹ CO₂ and 700 μL·L⁻¹ CO₂. Foundation Item: This paper was supported by Chinese Academy of Sciences. Biography: HAN Shi-jie (1956-), male, Ph. Doctor, Professor in Laboratory of Ecological Process of Trace Substance in Terrestrial Ecosystem, Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Responsible editor: Chai Ruihai     

In vitro propagation of a medicinal plant: Tripterygium wilfordii Hook f.

In this study a reliable protocol was developed for the establishment of commercial in vitro cultures of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook f.. Juvenile shoots from one-year-old elite plants were used as the source of explants. New axillary shoots were obtained after 30 days of culture on a MS medium supplemented with BAP (2.0 mg·L^–1) and NAA (0.1 mg·L^–1). The optimal multiplication medium was a modified MS medium supplemented with BAP (1.0 mg·L^–1) and NAA (0.1 mg·L^–1). This yielded a multiplication rate of 2.4 for each subculture. Slightly more than 92% of shoots rooted when cultured on a modified MS medium containing IBA (0.2 mg·L^–1) and acti-vated charcoal (0.5 mg·L^–1). Activated charcoal promoted both a strong and a high rooting rate during the rooting phase. Plantlets were transferred to pots for a short acclimatization stage in a greenhouse where 95% of the plantlets survived. This highly reproduci-ble procedure can be adopted for large-scale propagation of T. wilfordii.     

Photosynthetic response ofPinus sylvestriformis to elevated carbon dioxide and its influential factor analysis

The photosynthetic response of 12-year oldPinus sylvestriformis to elevated CO₂ and its influential factors were tested and analyzed in the forest region of Changbai Mountain in 1999. Trees grown at the natural condition were controlled at three levels of CO₂ concentration (350 μL·L⁻¹, 500 μL·L⁻¹ and 700 μL·L⁻¹) by CO₂ rich settlement designed by us. Net photosynthetic rates (NPR), temperature, relative humidity, stomatal conductance, intercellular CO₂ concentration and photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) were measured at 6:00, 8:00, 10:00, 14:00, 16:00 and 18:00 hours a day. Experimental results showed that the NPR ofPinus sylvestriformis increased by 32.6% and 123.0% at 500 μL·L⁻¹ and 700 μL·L⁻¹ CO₂ concentration respectively, compared to ambient atmospheric CO₂ concentration (350 μL·L⁻¹). The relations between NPR and influential factors, including temperature, relative humidity, intercellular CO₂ concentration and photosynthetic active radiation, were analyzed respectively by regression analysis at different CO₂ concentrations. Foundation Item: This project was supported by Chinese Academy of Sciences. Biography: WANG Chen-rui (1970-), male, Assistant Research Fellow in Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Responsible editor: Chai Ruihai     

Establishment of cell suspension line of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Populus tomentosa</Emphasis> Carr.

Leaves of fine Populus tomentosa genotype TC152 were used as explants to establish cell suspension lines. The effects of plant growth regulators on callus induction and establishment of cell suspension lines were studied. The callus induction rate was the highest on a MS solid medium supplemented with 1.0 mg·L^-1 2,4-D. A cell suspension line could be obtained by inoculating calli which were not subcultured into a MS liquid medium supplemented with 1.5 mg·L^-1 2,4-D. The best subculture medium was MS ＋ 0.8 mg＇L-1 2,4-D ＋ 30 g·L^-1 sucrose with a subculture cycle of seven days.     

Somatic embryogenesis and histological analysis from zygotic embryos in Vitis vinifera L. ＇Moldova＇

We examined the somatic embryogenesis from and histological studies of zygotic embryos of seeds in European Grape ＇Moldova＇ （Vitis vinifera U ＇Moldova＇）. Primary calli were initiated on Nitsch and Nitsch （NN） medium supplemented with 1.0 mg·L^-1 2,4-D and 0.5 mg·L^-1 6-BA. Embryogenic calli were produced upon transfer to a NN medium with 0.5 mg·L^-1 6-BA and 2 mg·L^-1 NAA and somatic embryos were obtained on a half strength MS medium without plant growth regulators. During the somatic embryo germination, an addition of 1.0 mg·L^-1 6-BA in the medium could accelerate somatic embryos to develop into normal plants and increase the conversion rate from 0 to 43.3%. Histological studies of embryogenic calli and somatic embryos demonstrated dynamic changes of proteins and starch grains. The developmental processes of somatic embryos were similar to those of zygotic embryos, including typical epiderma, cotyledon primordium and vascular tissue.     

孟加拉哈提亚地区海岸造林对土壤性质的影响

在孟加拉诺阿卡利地区及相临裸地,对海岸植被(12年和17年生无瓣海桑Sonneratia apetala)进行探索性研究,以便了解海岸造林对土壤特性的影响.在三种不同地带(内陆、中部、海边),在12年生和17年生无瓣海桑林下,土壤深度分别为0-10,10-30和30-40cm,土壤湿度、土壤粒度、有机质、C含量、总N、pH、有效P、K、Na、Ca和Mg含量明显高(p≤0.05,p≤0.01,p≤0.001)于其相临裸地的数据,土壤含盐量明显(p≤0.01)低于其相临裸地的数据.在内陆CharAlim植被,土壤表面的土壤湿度,土壤粒度,有机质,C含量、总N、pH、土壤含盐量、有效P、K、Na、Ca和Mg含量分别为:31.09%、2.24 g·cm-3、2.41%、4.14%、0.58%、7.07、O.09 dS·cm-1、28.06 mg·L-1、O.50 mg·L-1、11.5 mg·L-1、3.30 mg·L-1和2.7 mmol·kg-1;而在相邻的Char Rehania贫瘠地区的相同土壤深度,其相关值分别为:16.69%、1.25g·cm-3、O.43%、0.74%、O.25%、6.57、0.13 dS·cm-1、13.07mg·L-1、O.30mg·L-1、1.4 mg·L-1、O.30 mmol·kG-1和0.50 nag·L-1.然而,在小内陆到海边的植被中,土壤湿度、土壤密度、有机质、C含量、总N、pH、有效P、K、Na和Ca含量逐渐降低,而土壤含盐量、Na和Mg含量却逐渐增加.虽然,在植被与相临裸地的不同土壤深度中土壤质地不同,植被地中砂土份额明显(p≤0.01)低于相临裸地,而粉砂土份额则明显(p≤0.001)高于裸地.在本研究中,所有参数的评价也在为其他地区相关研究得到应用.     

降雨特征对兴安落叶松林降雨再分配过程中钾元素影响分析

[目的]以大兴安岭地区兴安落叶松林为研究对象,分析降雨特征对兴安落叶松林降雨再分配过程中K~+的影响。[方法]对林外降雨、穿透雨、灌木穿透雨、树干径流和枯透水进行了野外观测、取样和室内实验测定。[结果]结果表明:(1)研究期间兴安落叶松林林外降雨总量为266.0 mm,平均次降雨强度0.074 mm·min~(-1);降雨再分配过程中K~+含量平均值排序为枯透水树干径流灌木穿透雨穿透雨林外降雨,其中林外降雨中K~+含量在0.227 2.631 mg·L~(-1)之间,变化幅度较大,穿透雨中K~+含量波动在2.198 3.053 mg·L~(-1)之间,枯透水中K~+含量波动较小,稳定在3.077 3.281 mg·L~(-1)之间。(2)降雨量和降雨历时对降雨再分配过程中K~+含量均表现为正相关,随降雨量和降雨历时的增加K+含量的增加幅度呈上升趋势;而降雨强度和降雨间隔期对K~+含量增加幅度的影响则反之,但当降雨强度大于0.041 mm·min~(-1)时,K+含量的增加幅度开始出现转折,呈上升趋势;当降雨间隔期增大至233.28 h时,K~+含量的增加幅度趋于稳定。(3)影响林外降雨中K~+含量的主导因子是降雨间隔期,影响穿透雨、灌木穿透雨和树干径流中K~+含量的主导因子均为林外降雨量,而对枯透水中K~+含量起主导作用的则为降雨强度。[结论]降雨量、降雨历时、降雨强度以及降雨间隔期均会对降雨再分配过程中各个层次的K~+含量产生不同程度的影响。降雨再分配过程中K~+含量平均值大小排序为枯透水树干径流灌木穿透雨穿透雨林外降雨,其中大气降雨中K~+含量在5月和9月较高,穿透雨中K~+含量在5—10月呈波动式变化,灌木穿透雨中K~+含量变化幅度较大,而树干径流和枯透水中K~+含量较稳定。降雨量和降雨历时对降雨再分配过程中K~+含量的影响均表现为正相关。对林外降雨中K~+含量影响程度由大到小排序依次为降雨间隔期降雨强度降雨历时降雨量,穿透雨中K~+含量与各影响因素的灰关联度大小顺序依次为降雨量降雨历时降雨强度降雨间隔期,灌木穿透雨和树干径流中K~+含量与各影响因素的灰关联度排序和穿透雨一致,影响的主导因子均为降雨量,枯透水中K~+含量与各影响因素的灰关联度大小顺序依次为降雨强度降雨间隔期降雨历时降雨量。     

Establishment of genetic transformation system via Agrobacterium in tall fescue cultivar

Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) is a cool-season turfgrass used on fairways in golf courses. The object of this study was to develop a more efficient, reliable, and repeatable approach in transforming the grass using Agrobacterium (EHA105), where β-glucuronidase gene (uidA) was used as a reporter and hygromycin phosphotransferase gene (hyg) as a selectable marker. An effective expression of transgene was observed in transforming 2-month-old calli derived from mature seeds (cv. Bingo) cultured on MS medium supplemented with 9 mg·L⁻¹ 2, 4-D. A two-step solid medium selection with increasing hygromycin concentration (from 30 to 50 mg·L⁻¹) was used to obtain resistant calli. Transgenic plants have been produced from many independent transformed calli. The presence of functional β-glucuronidase gene (uidA) was detected in hygromycin-resistant calli. Transgenic plants were regenerated and PCR and Southern blot confirmed transgene integration in the tall fescue genome. Biography: QIAN Hai-feng (1973–), male, Ph.D., associate professor in Zhejiang University of Technology.     

Effects of Thidiazuron,basal medium and light quality on adventitious shoot regeneration from <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis> cultured stem of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Populus alba</Emphasis>×<Emphasis Type="Italic">P. berolinensis</Emphasis>

The effect of Thidiazuron （TDZ）, basal media and light quality on adventitious shoot regeneration from in vitro cultured stem of Populus albaxP berolinensis were determined to establish a high efficiency shoot regeneration system from stem explants of P. alba~P berolinensis. Stems ofPopulus alba~P berolinensis were collected from cultured shoots in vitro derived from dormancy buds of 3-year-old seedlings. The stem explants were cultured on MS medium containing 0.02-mg·L-1NAA （naphthaleneacetic acid）, and 0.1, 0.3, 0.5 and 1.0 mg·L-1 concentrations of TDZ to determine the effect of TDZ on shoot regeneration. Three basal media, i.e. MS, woody plant medium （WPM） and B5, were used to test their influences of different media on adventitious shoot regeneration. Green, red, blue and yellow plastic films in comparison with florescent light as control were used to observe their effects on shoot regeneration. The results showed that differ- ent concentrations of TDZ had an evident influence on shoot regeneration. Lower concentration of TDZ （0.1 mg·L-1） resulted in more ad- ventitious shoot regeneration and higher concentration of TDZ （〉0.1 mg·L-1） inhibited shoot regeneration. Among different media, MS medium exhibited a high efficiency for shoot regeneration, followed by WPM medium, while B5 medium inhibited shoot regeneration. Normal light and yellow light exhibited better effects on shoot regeneration, compared with other light.     

Response of seedlings growth ofPinus sylvestriformis to atmospheric CO2 enrichment in Changbai Mountain

The biomass and ratio of root-shoot ofPinus sylvestriformis seedlings at CO₂ concentration of 700 μL·L⁻¹ and 500 μL·L⁻¹ were measured using open-top chambers (OTCs) in Changbai Mountain during Jun. to Oct. in 1999. The results showed that doubling CO₂ concentration was benefit to seedling growth of the species (500 μL·L⁻¹ was better than 700 μL·L⁻¹) and the biomass production was increased in both above-ground and underground parts of seedlings. Carbon transformation to roots was evident as rising of CO₂ concentration. This project is supported by Chinese Academy of Sciences Responsible editor: Chai Ruihai     

Establishment of a transgenic system in fast-growing black locust （Robinia pseudoacacia L.）

The AhDREB1 gene, cloned from Atriplex hortensis L., was transferred into black locust （Robiniapseudoacacia L.） by an Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. The results suggest that stems of black locust sub-cultured in vitro for 20 d are suitable for genetic transformation. The optimum concentrations of kanamycin and cefotaxime were 30 and 150 mg.L-1, respectively. Important factors affecting the transformation efficiency were studied by means of a L9（3^4） orthogonal design. An effective system for genetic transformation in black locust was developed as follows： the stems were pre-cultured for 2 d, immersed in the Agrobacterium solution （OD600 = 0.7） with 10 mg·L^-1 acetosyringone for 21 min and then co-cultured for 2 d. The selection pressures, changing from low to high, could improve transformation efficiency. The transgenic plants were identified by a PCR method. The PCR results indicated that the AhDREB1 gene had been integrated into the genome of black locust and two lines of the transgenic plants were obtained.     

Distribution of gymnemic acid in various organs of Gymnema sylvestre

The gymnemic acid contents in various organs of Gymnema sylvestre were investigated by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) method. The results shows that the content of gymnemic acid in various organs, obviously different, was 54.29, 31.66, 28.82, 27.67, 25.39, 20.56 and 1.31 mg·g⁻¹ DW in shoot tips, flowers, nodes, leaves, internodes, roots and seeds, respectively. The highest gymnemic acid content (54.29 mg·g⁻¹ DW) was found in shoot tip, 1.96 fold higher than that in leaves (27.67 mg·g⁻¹ DW). Maximum quantity of gymnemic acid (35.39 mg·g⁻¹ DW) was observed in the young leaves, which was 1.52 times higher than that in old leaves (23.07 mg·g⁻¹ DW). The content of gymnemic acid in young, middle and old internodes was 26.47, 25.77 and 23.94 mg·g⁻¹ DW, respectively, all lower than that in leaves (27.67 mg·g⁻¹ DW), whereas the content of gymnemic acid in young, middle and old nodes was 27.96, 28.81 and 29.66 mg·g⁻¹ DW, respectively, all higher than that in leaves. The study provides the scientific evidences for the rational development and utilization of Gymnema sylvestre resources, since over exploitation of natural stands has caused depletion of these plants in nature. Foundation project: This work was supported by University Grants Commission, New Delhi (No. 33-88/2007 (SR))     

Adventitious shoot regeneration of Platanus acerifolia Willd. facilitated by Timentin, an antibiotic for suppression of Agrobacterium tumefaciens in genetic transformation

The effects of Timentin and cefotaxime (Cef) on shoot regeneration of the London plane tree (Platanus acerifolia Willd.) and their use for the suppression of Agrobacterium tumefaciens in Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation were compared. Shoot regeneration was significantly reduced on the media with Cef at concentrations from 100 to 500 mg·L–1. Timentin showed negative effect on plant regeneration at concentrations of 100 and 500 mg·L–1; however, 300 mg·L–1 Timentin was shown to facilitate shoot r...